grindstone

noun

grind·stone | \ ˈgrīn(d)-ˌstōn

Definition of grindstone

1 : millstone sense 1

2 : a flat circular stone of natural sandstone that revolves on an axle and is used for grinding, shaping, or smoothing

Examples of grindstone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Put your nose to the grindstone and complete your tasks on time. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, "Horoscope for June 7, 2019: Scorpio, watch for strings; Pisces, avoid this time-waster," 7 June 2019 Leading the charge was unassuming power forward Clyde Lee, a 6-foot-10 nose-to-the-grindstone worker bee. — Mark Dufrene, The Mercury News, "A timeline of 10 pulsating Oracle-era Warriors memories," 5 June 2019 My mother has always been so professional and always kept her nose to grindstone. — Liz Cantrell, Town & Country, "Roswell, New Mexico Actress Lily Cowles Reveals Whether or Not She Believes in Aliens," 16 Jan. 2019 This particular flake of silcrete appears to have once been part of a grindstone used to grind ocher into powder, based on the unusual smoothness of its curved face and the microscopic traces of ocher residue still clinging to its surface. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "The oldest drawing in the world was done with an ocher crayon," 12 Sep. 2018 Maybe new no-nonsense and nose-to-the-grindstone coach James O’Connor has finally forced Orlando City — its players and its management — to do just that. — Mike Bianchi, Pro Soccer USA, "James O’Connor is finally forcing Orlando City’s players to look in the mirror," 14 July 2018 The other White House — the invisible White House — is the nose-to-the-grindstone operation that has been faithfully chipping away at the legacy of President Barack Obama and signing into law long-standing policy goals of the Republican Party. — Philip Bump, Washington Post, "It's easier to wave away 'Trumpism' if you ignore the xenophobia that got him elected," 9 Jan. 2018 The cook appreciates the grindstone to sharpen the knife. — Bill Livingston, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Cavaliers 2018 - An ugly win beats a well-played loss anytime: Bill Livingston (photos, video)," 2 May 2018 These days the dancers are keeping their noses to grindstone, and just trying to get on with the physically taxing work of rehearsing by day and performing by night in the spring season — without the only boss any of them have ever known. — Michael Cooper, New York Times, "A Peter Martins Ballet Loses Peter Martins, and a Slap," 12 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grindstone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.